British Writer Jen Campbell grew up in the north east of England and now lives in London.She is the author The Bookshop book. and the Sunday Times bestselling Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series. "So funny. So Sad...Read it and sigh." Neil Gaiman
And onto the interview...
Jen, what are your ambitions for your writing career?
To continue writing books that people (hopefully!) enjoy. I write in many different genres; the next goal on my list is to write a novel.
You also have a channel on youtube. One of your videos, Unusual Narrative Structures, is one that caught my attention. I'd like to give my readers a sense of how your channel is so unique.
In the video you brought up two novels that have unique narrative structure devices: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, where you start in the middle and work out how you get there and The Dumb House by John Burnside, where you start at the end.
You quoted the the first line of The Dumb House:
“No one could say it was my choice to kill the twins no more than it was my choice to bring them into the world.”
Than you described Luke, the narrator, in The Dumb House as someone who is a very dark character who does very unspeakable things but you say he does things with certainty. He says things like: I have to kill this person, like I have to, it’s just obvious to me.
I like how you break down the books you read, and help readers understand them for their literary impact. It’s my opinion that a lot of booktubers could learn from your style.
I can tell that you do a lot of research on each book. You’re NOT just picking up a book and pointing it at the camera and saying "this is why I like this book...blah blah blah. It reminded me of blah, blah blah. I attend to unhaul it the first chance I get... blah blah blah, and move onto the next book."
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hardback books?
I don't read e-books at all.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes, absolutely. I was a bookseller for ten years so have seen the impact a good cover design can have. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover alone, of course, but there's so much out there and having a beautiful binding can't hurt. It gets people's attention.
I love your book cover for Weird Things Customers say in Bookstores. Pictured is a cartoon character with a question posed to the store clerk:Do you have any books by Jane Eyre?
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| Jen Campbell's novel (pictured above) |
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
I'm not sure if you mean positive or negative, or people reviewing a book in a 'good/bad' way. I think reviewers should be honest in their feelings for a book, whilst respecting those who wrote it. You can be critical about a book without being mean. As for what constitutes a 'good' review, it depends what your goal is. Literary criticism, or a pal recommending something? Both of those have their merits.
What is your favourite movie and why?
A tie between Spirited Away and Shakespeare in Love. The former because it gives me the same warm feelings that Through the Looking Glass does and the latter because I adore Tom Stoppard and intertextuality in equal measure.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I love my job. It's hard work, and I work long hours, but working in a creative industry is inspiring. As a freelancer, my work is also very varied, so that keeps me on my toes.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep going.
Last question, what question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
That's kind of you to ask. I suppose, what drives me to create stories other than a need to write? And this ties in with your first question, too. A lot of my current writing centers around Othering, especially with regard to deformity and disability.
Representation in the media is a subject I'm extremely passionate about. We're making progress in the book world, but I don't think it's happening quickly enough. We've got a lot of ground to cover, and I look forward to the day when ignorant folk don't try and shame members of marginalized groups into feeling grateful for problematic representation.
Last year I was asked to take part in a dating show on TV called 'Too Ugly for Love?' where those with disabilites/deformities are sent on dates and then filmed. I declined. I talk about that more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S0igM_5BVA&t=7s
We still have our modern day freak shows, and those who oppose them aren't listened to enough because money and views matter more to the companies in charge. It's not ok, and I hope I'm doing my small part to voice that. I certainly plan to continue to do so.
I totally agree, people who like these shows are often into TV with a voyeuristic bend and often lack the maturity to help themselves.
That’s all the time we have today folks. Contact Jen Campbell at the links below. Readers if you want to suggest any awesome booktubers, please list them in the comments below.
Website: http://www.jen-campbell.co.uk
Writing Workshops: http://www.jen-campbell.co.uk/writing...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jenvcampbell
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jenvcampbell
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/3o3s4d2
Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/hs8nxjm
More about Jen
Jen Campbell is a bestselling author, award-winning poet and short story writer. Her non-fiction books include the Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series and The Bookshop Book. Her poetry pamphlet The Hungry Ghost Festival is published by The Rialto, and her first children's book, Franklin's Flying Bookshop will be published by Thames and Hudson, summer 2017. She will be announcing the publication of another book very soon. Keep an eye on her Youtube channel for details: www.youtube.com/jenvcampbell Over there, Jen talks about all things books.
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